Natural Disaster: Thousands Evacuated Amid Devastating Los Angeles Wildfires
Wildfires have engulfed Los Angeles since January 7. NBC News reports that the first fire started in Pacific Palisades, while others have been spreading throughout the city. Although the cause of these fires remains undetermined, California’s dry conditions, combined with heavy offshore winds, have bolstered the flames. With a death toll estimated at 16, the fires have been extremely harmful to city residents, and are expected to lead to even more victims, according to BBC News. With over 166,000 inhabitants under evacuation warnings, 153,000 people have already evacuated the area. Even though firefighters were able to contain about 11 percent of the fire, more than 23,000 acres of land have been decimated.
Death: Nation Mourns the Passing of Former President Jimmy Carter at 100
The 39th President of the United States James Earl Carter Jr., widely known as Jimmy Carter, passed away on December 29, 2024 at the age of 100, making him the longest-lived president in American history. His funeral was held on January 9, which was declared a national day of mourning by President Joe Biden. NPR reported that the service was attended by all five living U.S. presidents, and speeches were given by many of the latter’s friends and family. According to “The New York Times,” the speeches highlighted not only Carter’s presidential accomplishments but his kind and faithful character. Many have praised the former president for his sincerity and moral values, as well as his efforts during and after his presidency to solve issues such as inflation and climate change. Carter was buried next to his wife, Rosalynn Carter, in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.
Diplomacy: Agreement to a Ceasefire Reached for the Israel-Hamas War
Israel and Hamas officials have agreed to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as well as a release of multiple hostages, The Politico reported. The three-phase agreement calls for the return of hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans to what is left of their homes, as well as the release of hundreds of Palestinian inmates in Israel and dozens of hostages held by terrorists in Gaza, states AP News. Humanitarian aid can now enter the region, which has been devastated by 15 months of conflict, according to the recently signed agreement. This new approach, reckons U.S. officials, is the closest they have come to putting an end to the 15 months of war.
War: Two North Korean Soldiers Captured in Ukraine
Ukrainian forces operating in the Kursk region of Russia have captured two North Korean soldiers, marking the first time that Kyiv has imprisoned living soldiers from the isolated state. Although 11,000 North Korean troops have been aiding Russia in Kursk, these are the first to be captured by Ukraine, according to CNN News. The two captured soldiers claimed that they thought they were sent to Russia for training, not to fight Ukraine, states the New York Times. As the war in Ukraine continues to rage on, with North Korean troops entering the battle last month, Russia has managed to regain half the territory it lost in the Kursk area. The Biden Administration has reported that 1,000 North Korean soldiers have been wounded or killed in battle.
Crime: President Trump’s Hush Money Case
President Trump’s charges of business fraud and hush money payment to pornographic star Stormy Daniels have reached an eventual sentence of unconditional discharge, according to CNN News. Although Trump was indicted in four separate criminal cases in the four years between his terms in office, this was the only one to go to trial. While this sentence spares President Trump of any penalty, including prison or a fine, his conviction still stands, making him enter office as a convicted felon, according to BBC News.